What is the proper etiquette to show respect for the flag?

[warpus]

Here you go:

What is it though? I mean, it looks to me like it's meant for soldiers and stuff.

Does it have any legal standing? If so, what kind?

That link is broken btw.

Dont you think they could be doing it for something other than just 'looking good'?

Yes, some people might do it because they really love their country.

Statistically speaking though I only ever see that sort of behaviour on TV, from people of high standing of some sort.

If I go to a TFC game, people stand - I've never seen the hand over heart thing - with a couple exceptions from seniors, people in their 40s,50s, etc.

Maybe it's a generational thing? Maybe you're used to it because you're older? not to mention you did use to be in the military - so your perception of this stuff could be skewed

Or by someone who doesnt know what the correct protocol is.

I don't believe we have an official correct protocol for these things here.

How official is yours?

 

[Joecoolyo]

But i usually cry when our national anthem plays.

Same here, idk why but whenever I hear the national anthem I do get some tears (not big ones, but those tiny ones that just seem to come out of nowhere)

 

[TheJ0K3R]

I lost a lot of respect when they joined your country in invading Iraq.

You can't be real.I want to cry.

 

[Holycannoli]

I don't always put my hand over my heart, sometimes I just stand. It depends on what everyone else is doing and what the event is.

I don't find it disrespectful to simply stand instead of placing your hand on your heart. Like that picture of my beloved NY Giants in the other thread, it's OK not to.

Really depends on what everyone else is doing though. If they're all placing hands on hearts, then I'm going to. If they're all just standing, I'll probably just stand, unless I'm in a particularly patriotic mood.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Perhaps we should adopt the leaf of a plant as our symbol...

This just in, flag burnings are at an all-time high.

 

[JollyRoger]

I get out my gun and shoot the person who looks most foreign.

 

[jessiecat]

You can't be real.I want to cry.

I agree with him. You can start crying now.

 

[TheJ0K3R]

I get out my gun and shoot the person who looks most foreign.

I hope your national anthem never plays in the borders of a foreign country.This would be brutality.

 

[Angst]

No ones forcing you to do anything. Render respect/honor all by your lonesome. Its yoru strength, or lack thereof, that renders that salute, hand over heart, or legs to stand.

Its not something someone should have to force you to do. Thats not how respect works.

When I salute the flag, I consider what other soldiers have done and sacrificed for this country since its inception. When I really think about some of the things they went through for this country, it humbles me. Thats why I salute the flag.

Respect for your country, meh. I'm proud of my heritage, but not so much that I am expected to salute for anything. I think it is something you can choose to be - Danish, or not - like you can choose to practice any religion. Or at least, should have the choice to. So when you ask, what is the "proper" etiquette to show respect for the flag, I say there is none, since people shouldn't even be expected to show respect that way (That is, etiquette is about norms, not laws). That doesn't exclude me from doing it myself.

~-~

Also, yes, I'm one of those dang hippies that really don't care about soldiers. I know they are necessary, but seriously, I couldn't care less about international interference. Since I don't need to strife for power, I don't see the logical point to invade something (Or having an army to defend against it though) - since I don't see why people just don't stop caring about getting richer and chill.

I do know the military is necessary though, since people aren't like me in general, so you don't have to quote me on this.

Canadians don't worship their flag. They stand for the anthem, but not the flag.

The Canadian flag is awesome though.

 

[illram]

I usually stand up, since this is a prerequisite to walking to the beer stand to get a beer before the inning starts. How can I walk while sitting down? Don't be silly.

 

[TheJ0K3R]

I agree with him. You can start crying now.

I will cry twice.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

The Canadian flag is awesome though.

It's a leaf. Nothing to get excited about. Then again, it could be worse. Right, Libya?

 

[TheJ0K3R]

It's a leaf. Nothing to get excited about. Then again, it could be worse. Right, Libya?

What about Nepal?It is mysterious. But it isn't even a rectangle.

 

[jessiecat]

The Canadian flag is awesome though.

Thank you. Though I prefer the one where I live now. And I don't stand for it. Just buy another drink.

 

[Annex]

I hope your national anthem never plays in the borders of a foreign country.This would be brutality.

Not brutality, patriotism.

 

[Kerozine]

I stand up not for the flag, but for the country it represents.

 

[MobBoss]

What is it though? I mean, it looks to me like it's meant for soldiers and stuff.

It plainly refers to civilians as well.

Does it have any legal standing? If so, what kind

Well, the US Code is the law.

That link is broken btw.

Thanks fixed.

I don't believe we have an official correct protocol for these things here.

How official is yours?

I would say the US Code is about as official as it gets.

 

[storical]

So you folks dont respect your flag because you dont respect your country anymore, correct?

I do and always will I was in the US Navy and will always respect the flag. Those who do not should be ashamed.

 

[Angst]

Thank you. Though I prefer the one where I live now. And I don't stand for it. Just buy another drink.

Lovely too - I prefer mine though.

It's a leaf. Nothing to get excited about. Then again, it could be worse. Right, Libya?

Having a unique, original, yet simple flag is win.

 

[Adria]

Statistically speaking though I only ever see that sort of behaviour on TV, from people of high standing of some sort.

If I go to a TFC game, people stand - I've never seen the hand over heart thing - with a couple exceptions from seniors, people in their 40s,50s, etc.

At NHL games, there are usually a few people who do the hand-over-the-heart thing. Of course, the number of people placing their hands over their hearts increases when there's a US team in town. I'd guess it's a mixture of American and Canadian fans who do this, with the Canadians doing so out of respect for the US custom.

I don't believe we have an official correct protocol for these things here.

How official is yours?

I don't think it's official, but standing and removing one's hat is certainly a pretty strong tradition.


On the topic of anthem traditions, why don't Americans typically sing along with their anthem? Do people just not want to? Is it not a traditional thing to do? Is it not considered any more or less patriotic to sing or not sing along? Is it considered disrespectful?

Citizens of many other countries sing along to their anthems, loud and proud. I suppose it could just be the sample I've seen (mostly sporting events on TV), but it just strikes me as odd. It's something I've often wondered when seeing the American anthem on TV.